sills



W. H SiLLS.

DEVICE FOR BUILDING MICA BOARDS 0R SIMlLAR ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 18, 1913.

1 1 96,03 6 Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

m I BY fit,

% ATTORNEY W. H. SILLS.

DEVICE FOR BUILDING MICA BOARDS 0R SIMILAR ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED APRIl8,19l3.

1,196,036. Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- A TTORXE I ll IL "WILLIAM HENRY SILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLENOIS.

DEVICE FOE, BUILDING- MICA-BQARDS QB SIMILAR AR'MCLES.

meaoae.

Specification of Letters Batent.

Fatented Aug. 29, acre;

lpplication tiled April 18, 1913. Serial hl'o. M21318.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HENRY SILLs, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, te of lllinois, have invented new and useful improvements in Devices for- Building Mica-Boards or Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for building mica board, or similar articles which are composed of flakes, or other light and irregular particles, the particles being held together by some adhesive.

The present application covers an improvement on the device disclosed in United States Letters Patent 1,133,325, issued March 30, 1915. I y

It is an object. of the invention to provide a device of this kind wherein the flake material, after being discharged from a conveyer, or such like, into the upper part of a tower, isdispersed by means of obstructions in the path of the material. This dispersion is also supported by the action of a blast of air conveyed in direction against the conveying direction of the .flake material. It is lmown to cause dispersion by injecting air in a direction difierent from the traveling direction of the flake material. In known devices serving this purpose the jet of air had the effect of discharging flake material collected within a hopper of a receptacle in a direction opposite to that direction in which the flake material'was conveyed by gravity, the discharge of the material from the hopper taking place through an annular interspace between said hopperand another hopper disposed above the same. The flake material, therefore, fell in ashower from the hopper to a support. On account of the annular discharge space this shower did not have the eflect of dispersing the flakes uniformly over the entir'area of the tower, but the flake material was only distributed in a ring shaped space. In order .to unite the flakes, and adhesive'or bond in the form ofa dry powder, or such like, is deposited on and between the flakes.

it is an object of my invention to introduce this adhesive into the tower, or into any other confined space wherein the process is carried out, simultaneously with the air. For this purpose means are provided which convey a predetermined andvariable charge of adhesive into that condu'm in which the air is'conveyed against the flakes. in for mer devices known for this purpose the receptacle for this adhesive or bond was dis posed within the confined space, or tower, and was, therefore, not readily accessible for re-filling, repairing, or such like. it also formed an obstruction in the path of the flakes, and as it usually consisted of a sieve, the powdered adhesive was distributed unevenly over the flakes, the sieve supplying that part-of the deposited flakes over which it remained at rest for a certain period with more adhesive than other parts of the deposit.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid this disadvantage lay-disposing the receptacle for the adhesive outside the confined pace, means being provided for discharglng periodically only a certain amount of adhesive into the confined space. At the present time there are diflerent kinds of mica cakes used for electrical purposes.

For some purposes they must conta n a relatively large amount of adhesive where this amount advisably is less in cakes used for other pur oses.

The objects of the invention described above are mainly carried out for the manufacture of mica cakes which have relatively small amounts of adhesive. In order to adapt a device for the manufacture of mica plates containing a, large amount of adhesive, additional means may be provided for covering the flake material after it has been'deposited. For this purpose a receptacle containing powdered adhesive may be reciprocated over the deposit, and means may be provided for discharging a portion of the contents of said receptacle at a terminal point only of its stroke. The period of dischar e by which the entire surface of the deposit is covered is very short, and the adhesive is evenly distributed thereby over the deposit;

The invention also consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

The drawing shows one embodiment of the invention by way of example.

Figure l is a section through and partly an elevation of the complete device, shown in combination with a press for uniting the deposited ilake material into a solid body. Fig. 2 is a section, partly in elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view of the means for conveying adhesive from the ice receptacle for the same to the air conduit. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail View showing the means for conveying flake material to the upper end of the tower, and Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of receptacle from which adhesive may be sifted over the deposited flake material. Q

Similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the drawing.

The device comprises a tower structure 1, or any other structure inclosinga confined space. The flake-material is carried to the top end of the tower or confined space, by means of a belt conveyor 2, provided with a plurality of buckets 3, in which measured quantities of flake material have been deposited. The means for driving this belt are shown in Fign2 asv comprising a pulley 4c; mounted on the shaft 5, which extends across the top of the confined space and it is advisable, like in many machines of this kind, to .provide a loose pulley 6 adjacent,

' the fixed pulley a in order to be able to interrupt the operation of the machine Without being compelled also to interrupt completely the operation of the driving means.

The flake material-from the buckets 3 is thrown into a hopper 7, extendihg upwardly from the top of the tower 1, aguard 8 being connected with said hopper to lead the flake material dropping from the buckets, before they are in direct alinement with the hopper, into the mouth of the hopper. Shaft 5 is rotatably supported in bearings which are held in brackets 9 and 19 on the top of the tower, and the shaft 5 projecting laterally, beyond said extensions carries a gear 11. An arm 12 projecting laterally from said gear is adapted to coact with the arms of a cross 13 mounted on the shaft 1% of the film collector 15. This collector, as may be seen from Fig. 1, comprises a plurality of walls in cross-like arrangement, the flakes from the buckets?) being deposited between two walls which are disposed at right angles and being then conveyed into the tower when the collector 15 is turned. This partial rotation of the collectorla will occur whenever the" arm 12, laterally projecting from the gear 11, engages one of the arms of the cross 13 mounted on the extension of the shaft 14.

A similar device is disclosed in my above mentioned United States Letters Patent, No. 1,133,325.

The flakes leaving the discharge end of the hopper are conveyed downwardly by gravity within the confined spaceof the tower l and are dispersed during their movement by means of obstructions in the path of the flakes. These obstructions in the present case and also in the device disclosed in application Serial No. 687912 are shown as aplurality of rods 16, arranged in series in different horizontal planes, the rods of each plane extending in a direction different from incense are provided for obtaining this efiect. These means are shown in the form of a device for directing periodically a gust of air, or wind, in a direction difierent from the traveling direction of the flakes.

A reservoir 19 containing air is located outside the confined space and is connected with the interior of the tower by means of pipe 20. A valve 21, located in said pipe 20, is periodically opened and closed by means of a projection 22 on a gear 23, said projection engaging in the rotation of this gear the tail end of a lever 24, which is pivotally supported at 25, and which is connected at its other end by means of thelink 26 with the lever 27 of the valve 21. The gear 23 receives its drive from the gear 11 on the shaft 5. This gear preferably is mounted on a jack shaft 28-, which is also secured to a bracket 10 on top of the tower. W hen the projection 22 has passed the tail end of the lever 24, the lever is automatically returned into initial position by the spring 29, closing thereby the valve 21. Another manually controlled valve 30 in the pipe 20 serves for interrupting the connection between said pipe and the interior of from the reservoir 19 may be conveyed into thetower through the branch pipe 31, which is also provided with a hand controlled valve 32.

The plurality of obstructions disposed in the path of the flake material and the gust of air periodically blown against said flake material in a direction difierent from the traveling direction will produce a thorough dispersion of the flake material over the entire area of the confined space within the tower. it is advisable that an adhesive should be thoroughly mixed with the flakes before they are deposited on the support 18, near the lower end of the tower, and for this purpose means are provided whereby an adhesive, preferably in the form of a powdered shellac, or some other powdered ond material, is conveyed into the interior of the tower through the same conduit through which the air is conveyed and the discharge of the adhesive preferably takes place simultaneously with the discharge of the air.

Arecep'tacle 34 for the adhesive is locate outsidethe tower, so that it is readily accessible and may be re-filled whenever desired. The discharge opening 35 of said receptacle 15 connected with the pipe 20, through which the air is conveyed, the pipe connections between the discharge opening 35 and the pipe 20 being indicated at 36. A plunger 3'? is reciprocated within the pipe 36 and carries at its front end an abutment plate 38,

the towei", in which case the air discharged spaced from said plunger bya screw 39, which may be secured in an adjustable position by means of the lock nut 40. The operation of this plunger 37 is effected by means of a rod 41, pivotally connected with a plunger rod 42, and at the other end pivotally mounted on a pin 43, which is secured to the gear 44, said last named gear being driven from the gear 23, as may be seen from Figs. 1 and The drive of the gear 44 is not a continuous one but is intermittent. In the emb0diment illustrated in the accompanying drawing this intermittent drive is effected in the following way: Gear 44 is not in alinement with gear 11, but is laterally disposed with respect thereto and is in engagement with the teeth of the pressure rim 23 preferably formed integral with a complete rim of the gear 23. This gear therefore performs the functions of a complete gear and a mutilated gear. It is driven continuously by the gear 11 and effects an intermittent drive of the gear 44. It is obvious that the period of actuation of the gear 44 depends upon the length of the tooth are 23'. The gear 44 controls the operation of the plunger con-- Jeyerand it is therefore obvious that the conveyance of the adhesive maybe timed with respect to the discharge of the flake material from the hopper 7, so that the adhesive is conveyed into the tower together with the air in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the flakes right after the flake material leaves the discharge end of the hopper. The introduction ofthe ad hesive into the tower does not take place while the flake material is being collected in the hopper. Although in the drawing illustrating the invention 'the' gear44 is shown to be of smaller diameter than the gear 23, it is obvious that the ratio of these gears may be varied in accordance with the purpose desired. The ejection of the charge of adhesive from the pipe takes place when the pin 22 of the gear 23 opens the valve 21.

Eachlayer of flake material, after being deposited on the support 18 may be provided with an additional layer of adhesive by the following means: A receptacle 45 containing a bond material in the form '.of a dry powder, or such like, may be reciprocated on r'ails over the deposit of the support. This receptacle as shown in the accompanying drawing is provided with two pairs of rollers 71 .which are supported on studs projecting from the lateral walls of the receptacle. A lever 46 is pivotally mounted on the outside of the tower on a stud 47, the upper end ofsaid lever being connected by means of the link 48 with the pin 43 on the gear 11'. The upper arm of said lever preferably carries a projecting pin 49., which in the movement of said lever is guided in an arcuate slot 50, provided in a strip 51, which is secured to the outer surface of the tower.

The other end of the lever-46 is connected with the receptacle'45, by means of slot 52 in the lever and pin 53 on the receptacle. In the reciprocatlng movement of the receptacle the studs 72 slide in a slot 54, provided in the wall of the tower.

The lower side-of the receptacle 45 is closed by two plates55 and 56-which are provided with perforations so as to have the functions of a sieve, or such like. One of these plates carries projections 57, which are surrounded by springs 58, said springs abutting at one end against adjustable nuts 59 on the studs 57, and resting with their other end against the front wall of the receptacle 45. Normally the perforations of the two plates 55 and 56 are out of alinement, so that the material within the receptacle 45 cannot be-discharged. I When the receptacle, however, is at the end of a stroke, the projections 57 enter into engagement with the wall of the tower, the perforated plate 56 rigidly connected with-these projections is shiftedandby this means the powdered adhesive from the receptacle is sifted over the deposit. When the receptacle starts on the return stroke the springs 57 force the two plates again into their normal position so that the receptacle 45 again is closed and no powder is discharged. therefrom on the deposited flake material.

Inthe manufacture bf certain classes of plates or cakes it is not necessary to deposit an additional layer of adhesive on the flake material. The lever 46 may then be disconnected from the pin 43 on the gear 44. The actuation of this lever and the additional disposition of adhesive on the deposited flake material is controlled by the gear 44. This gear as has been stated above is driven in.- termittently and it is obvious therefore that the receptacle 45 also is moved intermittently only. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing the movement. of the receptacle 45 takes place simultaneously with the movement of the conveyer plunger 37. Hence it takes place at the time where the films discharged from the collector have not traveled far enough to be deposited on the top of the receptacle 45. When these flakes have proceeded downwardly, their movement being delayed by the obstructions 16, receptacle 45 occupies the position outside the tower near that point in which it is shown in Fig. 1.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows: The flake material is conveyed by the buckets into the hopper 7 when the arm 12 on gear 11 engages one of the arms of cross 13, the collector 15 within the hopper is partially rotated. The flake material then drops from the collector, and in this downward movement it is dispersed by the gusts of wind which are periodically discharged from the nozzle 60, which is connected with the pipe and also with pipe 31, leading from the reservoir. The communication between the reservoir 19 and the interior of the tower is established periodi tributed among and between the flakes while they are in motion. The dispersion of the flake material in its downward travel is completed by'the arrangement of the lurality of obstruction in the path of the ake material. posited on the support 18 the receptacle maybe reciprocated over the same and the contents of said receptacle are temporarily discharged therefrom when the projections 57 strike the wall of the tower. During this operation the door 61, adjacent the support 18, is closed. When a sufiicient amount pf flake material and adhesive is deposited on I the support 18, the door 61 is opened, and

the support 62 with the material thereon is slid out from the tower. The fiake material on the'support isthen transferred to one of the interspaces 63 between platens 66 of the press 64:, and when a sufiicient number of mica boards, or cakes of this kind are inserted in said press the piston or pressure member 65 is raised in some suitable way to I compress these cakes, at the same time steam or some other heating medium is introduced into the interior of the several platens for a suitable period whereupon a chilling medium like cold water or the like is lntroduced. The adhesive is thereby liquefied and then chilled tobind all of the flakes into one solitary mass. Other means for this purpose, however, may be used, and the pressv shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 is only illustrated by way of example.

I claim:

1. In combination with means for convey ingflake material in a confined space toward a support, a receptacle for compressed air and a receptacle for adhesive and means for bringing said receptacles periodically into communication with said confined space.

2. combination with means for conveying fiake material in a confined space toward a support, means for blowing air into the confined space, a receptacle for adhesive located outside. said confined space, and means for periodically bringing said receptacle and said air blowing means into communication with said space; V c

- 3.111 combination with means ,i or con- After the flake material is deveying flake material in a confined space incense veying flake material in a confined space toward a support, means for periodically blowing air into the confined space, a receptacle located outside said space, and means for discharging portions of the contents of the receptacle the air. a

4-. ln combination with means for conveying flake material in a confined space toward a support, a plhrality of pipes, means'for forcing air periodically into the said space through said pipes, a receptacle into said space together with for adhesive, and means for periodically connecting said receptacle with said pipes.

5.111 combination with means for conveying flake material in a confined space toward a support, and means-for honveying periodically air charged with an adhesive into the confined space, for the pur:

pose set forth.

.6. In combination with means for conan adhesive, means for discharging portions of the contents of the receptacle into the said space, and meansfor'varying the volume of said portions.-

8. In combination with means for conveying flake material in a confined space to a support, a receptacle for adhesive lo cated outside said space, means for conveying adhesive from said receptacle periodically into said space, andnieans for closing said receptacle against the said space during the conveying operation.

9. In combination with means for conveying flake material in a confined space to a support, a receptacle for adhesive provided with a discharge opening, a plunger, a spaced abutment on said plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger past said discharge opening, and pipe connections extending from said opening; into said space. 10. In combination with means for conveyin'gfiake :rnaterial in a confined space heldat an adjustable distance from an end of the plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger to bring the interspacebetween abutment and plunger periodically into alinement with the discharge opening, and pipe connections extending from said opening into said space.

. 11. In combination with means for conveying flake material in a confined space to a support, a receptacle containing adhesive, means for reciprocating said receptacle over the material deposited on said support and means for discharging adhesive from said receptacle, when thereceptacle is at the end of a stroke.

12. In combination with means for conveying flake material in a confined space to a support, a receptacle containing adhesive, means for reciprocating said receptacle overthe material deposited on said support, means for maintaining said receptacle closed until the same is at the end of a stroke, and means for discharging adhesive from said receptacle, when it is at the end of a stroke.-

13. In combination with means for conveying flake material in a confined space to a support, a receptacle containing adhesive, means for reciprocating said receptacle over the material deposited on the support, a pair of apertured closing members on said receptacle, means for maintaining the apertures of said members normally out of registration, and means for periodically bringing the apertures of the closing members into registration.

14. In combination With means for conveying flake material in a confined space to a support, a receptacle containing adhesive, means for reciprocating said rece tacle over the material deposited on t e support, a perforated plate forming the bottom of the receptacle, another perforated plate 6 parallel to and movable with respect to the first named plate, and a resilien-t projection on the last named plate adapted "to enter into engagement With a Wall of said space at the end of the stroke of the receptacle, to move said plate and bring the perforations of the same into alinement With the perforations of the other plate.

15. In combination With means for periodically conveying fiakematerial in a tower to a support, a receptacle containing adhesive, means for reciprocating said receptacle, in the intervals between the periods of conveyance of the flake material, over the flake material deposited on the support, a perforated plate formin the bottom of the receptacle, another perforated plate parallel to and movable with respect to the first named plate, and a re- I WILLIAM HE RYsILLs.

Witnesses FELIX STERN, BERTHOLD OBLA'I'I. 

